Lighthouse Keeper

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.(2 Corinthians 1:20)

There’s no better way to learn the Word of God than to simply sit and read an entire book from start to finish. I sat down and read the Book of Jeremiah this afternoon and found myself in a faith crisis as I started to ponder “so am I in Babylon or am I in the Promised Land?”

We all want to be in the Promised Land (Genesis 12:1)  or at the very least gearing up for a Jordan crossing (Joshua 3:14-17)  but I started to wonder if I was kidding myself and needed to brace myself for 70 years (Jeremiah 25) under King Nebuchadnezzar? 

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

Jeremiah 29:5-7 gives instructions to the exiles from Jerusalem to build and to plant and pray for the prosperity of the Babylon kingdom. It’s going to be a while before you go back to your land. 

If you turn on the news, it’s easy to think we are living in a modern Babylon (and many denominations teach that’s exactly where we are until the Second Coming in Revelation).

As a Pentecostal, I take a more hopeful view, keeping in mind that we are this side of the Resurrection. Jesus has atoned for our sin and rebellion at the Cross and if you receive Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit, you can now claim Kingdom Come and the promises of the Bible. These promises include rest and peace and healing and freedom and no longer being separated from God. Yes there is warfare and battle for the Promised Land (as with the Israelites in Joshua) but please don’t lose sight of what Jesus has purchased for you and me at Calvary. 

Wilderness is where you are not living the abundant life of John 10. You can still be a saved, believing Christian and have a wilderness or two as God repositions and centres you back into the Yes and Amen promises of the New Testament. 

Smith Wigglesworth teaches that faith is not passive, but an active pursuit of God’s Word and commands and obedience to His will. Promised Land is achieved by claiming and standing on the promises of the Bible. Living in a state of victory and purpose in the present age is Promised Land. Yes- it can be here too even if there is darkness and Babylon around us.  Taking a deep dive into the Old Testament is always a wild ride but don’t forget, the tomb is empty or you might get tricked into thinking you, too, are in Babylon.